Waynesboro teacher evaluations being implemented

All Waynesboro teachers will be evaluated based on the Danielson Model "Framework for Teaching."

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By Stephanie Harbaugh/The Record Herald

Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

By Stephanie Harbaugh/The Record Herald

Posted Oct. 10, 2012 at 11:00 AM

By Stephanie Harbaugh/The Record Herald

Posted Oct. 10, 2012 at 11:00 AM

Waynesboro, Pa.

WAYNESBORO — Beginning this academic year, all teachers in the Waynesboro Area School District will be evaluated based on Race to the Top guidelines.

Race to the Top is a program implemented by President Barack Obama and is designed to award money to states to spur educational reform and embrace innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

At Tuesday’s school board meeting, Dr. Wendy Royer, assistant superintendent, presented a PowerPoint explaining how the evaluations will be conducted in all six of the district’s schools.

The evaluations are a segment of Race to the Top through which the district has received $37,379 for teacher training and materials.

Everyone participates

All Waynesboro teachers will be evaluated based on the Danielson Model “Framework for Teaching,” according to Royer.

Next year, all public schools in Pennsylvania will be required to conduct teacher evaluations, but Waynesboro decided to forge ahead and begin this year, Royer explained.

Under the Danielson Model, a principal evaluates the teacher’s planning, preparation and professional responsibilities, observes the teacher in the classroom and fills out a form which provides immediate feedback on strengths and weaknesses.

Royer explained teachers are evaluated on “what” they are teaching and not “how” they teach it.

Classroom walk-throughs are also part of the Danielson Model.

“We’ve completed 380 classroom walk-throughs since the beginning of this year,” said Royer, who explained the walk-throughs only last five to 10 minutes in length and are just a quick look at the classroom, teachers and students.